As we explore what it means to “love what God loves, and hate what He hates“, it seems best to begin by examining key Biblical teachings that seem to undermine this notion.

We will start with Jesus’ command to “love your enemies,” which is recorded in both Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27, 35). These words were not spoken in isolation, and to understand them, we must understand the context in which they are given.

Jesus begins with “The Beatitudes” (Matthew 5:3-12).  This section describes people, like the disciples, who are not seeking fulfillment in the things of this life, but rather in the pursuit of righteousness. Their distinct flavor (salt of the earth) and high visibility (light of the the world) is emphasized in the second section of the Sermon (5:13-16).

But how is such righteousness attained?  Experience has shown us the insufficiency of our own efforts. Perhaps our only hope is in modifying or repealing the standard. In the third section of the Sermon, Jesus excludes any such possibility (5:17-20). In fact, He sets the standard higher, not lower. The righteousness required for access to the kingdom exceeds that of even the most religiously zealous.

This point is so important that the next twenty-eight verses elaborate this “greater righteousness”.  He builds His explanation around six statements taken from the Law (“You have heard…”), and explains the true standard behind those words (“…But I say…”).

In this explanation, we discover that not only must we avoid murder and adultery, we must never even experience the heart-attitudes behind them.

On the issues of divorce, vows, and revenge – none of these reflect God’s wishes. He hates divorce, but knowing that many would not honor the marriage covenant, He regulates it to limit the damage inflicted. In a similar way, vows are necessary because our “normal” words are not worthy of trust. Vows are evidence of our tendency to lie. And revenge? Well, knowing that we are naturally vengeful, God set the maximum standard for vengeance.  Thus, these three standards do not denote “righteousness”, but merely limits placed on the expression of our wickedness.  Entrance into the kingdom of heaven will require much more than “limited wickedness”.

This brings us to “loving our enemies”. Just to review, the righteousness described to this point is never hostile or disrespectful toward anyone, has never had an illicit thought, never wavered in marital devotion, never spoken an unreliable word, and when wronged, has always sought to bless the offender.  So far, so good?  If so, there is only one hurdle left.

Of course, no one can meet this standard.  Even if we could begin manifesting these attributes today, the guilt already acquired is overwhelming. We are going to need to imputed righteousness.

Does this mean that we can never manifest the righteousness described here? Absolutely not.  But not through trying harder.  As the story unfolds, we learn that it comes through transformation by the Holy Spirit, as we walk with God, and become like Him.  This is a lifelong journey. If we take this journey, one day we will look like this.  In the meantime, turning the Sermon on The Mount into a to-do list misses Jesus’ point, and embraces the very performance-based approach that He repudiates.

So, with the understanding that “loving our enemies” is not how we score points with God, but illustrates the righteousness required for the Kingdom – a righteous that is beyond my self-effort, we are ready to look this issue of loving our enemies – next week.

For this week, how comfortable are you with the idea that your spiritual transformation is a journey, that you are not who you will become, and that God is ok with that for now?